Working with the Parkersburg Correctional Center with financing from a Litter Control Grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the city has removed more than 23,458 pounds of litter. (Photo Provided)

From staff reports

PARKERSBURG — A Litter Control Grant initiative funded in part by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in Parkersburg removed more than 23,000 pounds of waste.

The city partnered with the Parkersburg Correctional Center to provide regular cleanup efforts, ensuring that public spaces remain clean, safe and inviting, the city said in a press release.

During the grant period, Officer M. Bosley logged 141 hours supervising crews from the Correctional Center. Together, 23,458 pounds of litter were removed from neighborhoods, parks, roads, sidewalks and other public areas across the city.

The primary focus of this program has always been the gateways into the city, the release said.

Working with the Parkersburg Correctional Center with financing from a Litter Control Grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the city has removed more than 23,458 pounds of litter. (Photo Provided)

The FY25 Litter Control Grant provided $5,000 in funding, originally matched by an additional $5,000 from the city.

“This initiative demonstrates the importance of collaboration and persistence in tackling an issue that affects every corner of our community,” Mayor Tom Joyce said. “Thanks to the hard work of Officer Bosley, the Parkersburg Correctional Center and the support of the (Department of Environmental Protection), we were able to remove more than 23,000 pounds of litter from our city.”

Cleaner streets and parks mean stronger neighborhoods and a better quality of life for everyone, Joyce said.

“The Parkersburg Correctional Center has been a great partner in this initiative since we started it in 2018. I am pleased for the City of Parkersburg to offer a chance for incarcerated persons to grow and learn or relearn skills such as hard work, accountability and responsibility, all of which are key to successful reentry upon their release.”

The City of Parkersburg remains committed to expanding litter control and beautification initiatives, reinforcing the belief that a cleaner community fosters pride, safety and growth, Joyce said.

For more information about Parkersburg’s environmental and beautification initiatives, contact the Planning Division at 304-424-8519.